Stelle Nel Cielo captured the first Alberta Lady division for sophomore pacing fillies this afternoon at Northlands Park while Bedrock Motel prevailed in her split after an accident prevented three of her competitors from finishing the race.
In the first $28,800 division, trainer/driver Ron Graham engineered a winning trip aboard Bedrock Motel and driver Mike Hennessy took the second $29,100 division after an accident at the half-mile marker.
The 3-5 favourite cleared the front end, but April Three (Kelly Hoerdt) overtook her stablemate after the first quarter in :27. April Three led to the half in :56.4 where Starring Role (Brandon Campbell) made a break causing interference to the trailing horses. GTs Sheer Delight (Brent Grundy) and Party Paula (Gerry Hudon) fell and Bette Blue Chip's driver Mark Bradley was unseated in the mishap, but the filly stayed up and was snatched by outrider Jackie Beelby. All three did not finish the race.
Unaffected by the incident, Bedrock Motel retook the lead by the third quarter station in 1:27.4 and paced to the wire in 1:56.3, seven lengths ahead of Modern Legacy (Keith Clark). Starring Role finished third, but was disqualified for causing interference. Real Vintage, who was interfered with in the accident, was able to finish the race and was placed third.
Sources told Trot Insider that all horses and drivers were up shortly after and appeared to be no worse for the wear.
Bedrock Motel, a daughter of The Panderosa, took her fourth career win and increased her earnings to $123,239 for trainer Kelly Hoerdt, who co-owns with Blair Corbeil of Beaumont, Alta.
In other action, Kelly Hoerdt’s Trust The Artist prevailed in the $16,100 Open Pace.
Trust The Artist posted panels of :28.2, :58.3 before Barona Ferrari (John Chappell) launched a first-over challenge and battled with the pacesetter en route to the three-quarters mark in 1:26.1. With a :27.4 final kick, Trust The Artist pulled away in the stretch for the win in 1:54.
Barona Ferrari finished almost four lengths back in second and Tajma Hall (Jean Francois Gagne) was third.
Hoerdt owns the four-year-old son of Real Artist with Corbeil and Mike McAllister. Trust The Artist notched his 18th win and pushed his earings over the $300,000 mark.
In the Fillies & Mares $16,100 Pace, Silvery Belle wired the field with Bill Tainsh, Jr. in the bike.
The five-year-old Just Camelot mare posted an opening panel of :28.2 before Hot Night (Marc Campbell) popped the pocket and applied first-over pressure through a :57.1 half, but was unable to pass the pacesetter. After reaching the third quarter station in 1:26.1, Silvery Belle pulled away from the pack winning in 1:55.1.
Kg Mist (Rod Hennessy) finished second and Stabilo (Kelly Hoerdt) was third.
The Travis Umphrey trainee scored her 12th win and boosted her bankroll to over $138,000 for owner Terry Hamilton of Lethbridge, Alta.
To view Saturday’s results, click here.
(With files from Northlands)